The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a pre-publication Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) and an announcement of a public meeting about DOE’s proposed new and amended standards for ceiling fans.
Some important things to note:
- Standard and hugger ceiling fans with representative values of blade span >53” will likely have to utilize DC motors to meet this proposed standard. Standard and hugger ceiling fans with representative values of blade span <53” will not be forced to DC motors to meet this proposed standard.
- This DOE-proposed standard will significantly impact ceiling fan controls for standard and hugger blade spans >53” because DC motors require different controls than AC motor fans.
- The proposed new standard uses the efficiency metric of cubic feet per minute per watt (CFM/W) for standard and hugger ceiling fans but uses the metric of ceiling fan energy index (CFEI) for large-diameter ceiling fans and high-speed belt-driven ceiling fans.
- This proposed new standard does not address ceiling fan light kits (CFLK).
Additional information about the NOPR:
- The DOE pre-publication NOPR and public meeting announcement can be found here.
- DOE proposes that the updated standard would take effect starting three years after the publication date of the final rule for this rulemaking.
- DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
- Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number EERE-2021-BT-STD-0011, by email (CeilingFans2021STD0011@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).
- DOE will hold a webinar on Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Click here to register for the webinar
Image: US DOE NOPR
